Sinag Maynila 2024: Catch local, indie films until September 10 in select cinemas

The Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival is back for its sixth edition after a four-year hiatus!

Sinag Maynila 2024 kicked off on Wednesday, presenting 24 impressive and exciting Filipino independent films to the public.

The official entries in competition at this year's film fest comprise 10 short films, seven documentaries, and seven full-length feature films.

Sinag Maynila 2024 runs until September 10 in select cinemas, namely at Gateway, Robinsons Galleria Ortigas, Robinsons Manila, SM Fairview, SM Mall of Asia, SM Manila, SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, SM Southmall, SM Sta. Mesa, and Market Market.

The official entries are the following:

Short Film

• "Suka & Toyo Can Make Adobo (Vinegar and Soy Sauce Can Make Adobo)" by Jude Matanguihan
• "Sa Paglupad Ka Banong (The Flight of Banog)" by Elvert Bañares
• "Mananguete (The Coconut Sap Collector)" by Mery Grace Rama-Mission
• "Kiyaw (Hill Myna)" by Jerico Jeriel (World Premiere)
• "Ina Bulan" by Melver Ritz L. Gomez
• "Ilo" by Serafin Emmanuel P. Catangay
• "Bisan Abo, Wala Bilin (Even Ashes, Nothing Remains)" - Kyd Torato
• "As the Moth Flies" by Gayle Oblea
• "Ang Maniniyot ni Papa Jisos (Father Jisos' Photographer" by Franky Arrocena
• "14 Days" by Nars Santos

Documentary

• "Way of the Balising" by Paul Factora
• "Untitled/Unfinished" by Matthew Victor Pastor
• "Panatag (Tranquil)" by Allan Lazaro
• "Pag-ibig ang Mananaig (Love Will Prevail)" by Jeninah Denise A. Domingo
• "Natatanging Palayok (The Exceptional Pot)" by Ein Gil Randall S. Camuñas
• "Ino" by Ranniel Semana
• "Ghosts of Kalantiaw" by Chuck Escasa

Full-length Feature

• "What You Did" by Joan Lopez-Flores
• "The Gospel of the Beast" by Sheron Dayoc
• "Talahib (Legend of the Tall Grass" by Alvin Yapan
• "Salome" by Gutierrez Mangansakan II
• "Maple Leaf Drums" by Benedict Mique
• "Her Locket" by J.E. Tiglao
• "Banjo" by Bryan Wong

Ten films are marking their world premieres at Sinag Maynila 2024, namely "Kiyaw (Hill Myna)," "Ina Bulan," "Bisan Abo, Wala Bilin (Even Ashes, Nothing Remains)," "Way of the Balisong," "Pag-Ibig Ang Mananaig," "What You Did," "Talahib," "Salome," "Maple Leaf Dreams," and "Banjo."

"Untitled/Unfinished" is also making its international premiere, whereas "As the Moth Flies" its Asian premiere. "Her Locket" marks its Philippine debut at the fest.

Tickets to Sinag Maynila 2024 are priced at P200 each and are available via SM Cinema, SureSeats, and Gateway Cineplex 18 online, as well as venue ticket booths.

Sinag Maynila 2024 will hold its Gabi ng Parangal on Sept. 8 at The Metropolitan Theater.

Sinag Maynila was postponed in 2020 due to the rising COVID-19 cases in the country. It was launched in 2015 by internationally acclaimed Filipino director Brillante Mendoza and Solar Entertainment Corporation President Wilson Tieng with the goal to support Philippine independent cinema.

— CDC, GMA Integrated News